Ice vending machines have been around for some time now, but over that time they have received some very innovative features. Most machines are still coin operated versions, but there is a wave of newer machines that accept credit card payments. Let's take a closer look.

In this day in age where customers are more aware of the purity of the water they drink, the modern day ice machines provide their ice on the spot with purified water. This can be particularly comforting to travelers who are removed from their regular access to bottled water or filtered water from home.

A very popular machine in this category is appropriately called the Ice Cube. It is a state-of-the-art in ice vending machines with characteristics such as fewer moving components and offsite observation capabilities. However, the most amazing feature is the machine fault alerts that are delivered by phone. The machine's diagnostics are controlled by a top-of-the-line industrial grade computer that will deliver phone notifications when something goes wrong with the machine. This ingenious feature is particularly useful for owners of these types of machines because it reduces the need to make frequent trips out to the machine to check on its performance. As if the phone were not convenient enough, owners can actually monitor the machine's status with a wireless device such as a Palm or Blackberry.

Other characteristics exist as well. Like traditional ice vending machines, the Ice Cube makes ice in bulk. But traditional versions lacked the capability of accurately dispensing the same amount of ice consistently. Today, once the customer makes their payment, the ice can be weighed and bagged. An additional feature that reduces maintenance costs is that these machines do not need to be cleaned as often as their predecessors due to their design and use of purified water.

All these bells and whistles have a hefty price tag though. An individual machine will cost approximately $126,000. The installation and utilities will have to be incurred at an additional cost of $4,500. Yearly operating costs are approximately $13,150. This includes the utilities, the land lease, insurance, and supplies. Even with financing through private institutions, the price may prove to be too costly for the first-time investor.

There are a few ice vending equipment companies worth considering for those interested in buying such a machine. For example, Aqua Polar and Iceberg Vending are reputable companies that should be considered. Each company offers attractive deals and advanced machines. For instance, Iceberg provides machines that are virtually theft-proof with the machine constructed from monolithic concrete. Aqua Polar, on the other hand, sells smaller more affordable units.